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The Indian sports community witnessed the official launch of SCORE (Scouting Champions: Opening Routes to Excellence) at the Indian Sports Circus in Bangalore this month. The event, which brought together industry leaders and sports entrepreneurs, featured discussions on sports photography, emerging sports start-ups, and the future of Indian football talent development.
SCORE aims to create a direct route for young Indian footballers to Europe, establishing a structured pathway for India’s brightest young talents to European clubs.
“SCORE is built on the belief that talent deserves opportunity. We aim to bridge the gap between Indian football and global platforms by providing a structured pathway for young players to showcase their abilities. This is just the beginning of a movement to put Indian footballers on the world map,” said Abhay Raj, Director at TRP Sports.
SCORE is a merit-based football scouting program designed to identify and elevate India’s most promising 15-18-year-old footballers. Throughout the year, a panel of Indian scouts evaluates players in competitive age-group tournaments using a data-driven system. The best talents are then shortlisted for a season-end Talent ID Event, attended by scouts and sporting directors of European clubs.
The ultimate goal? To secure playing contracts at international clubs renowned for youth development.
“The success of SCORE will not only open doors for young Indian footballers to gain international exposure but also elevate the overall standard of our junior teams at the U18, U20, and U23 levels. A stronger foundation at these age groups ultimately leads to a more competitive and formidable Senior National Team on the global stage.” added Gufran Merchant, Director at TRP Sports.
Luka Kovac, co-founder of United Globe Sports Agency, brings extensive experience and a strong network within European football to SCORE. Luka shared his thoughts post the launch event, “With SCORE, we are not just scouting talent; we are building a bridge between Indian football and top European academies. By identifying the right profiles and presenting them to clubs looking for emerging talent, we aim to create genuine opportunities for Indian players to step onto the global stage and compete at the highest levels.”
